Well good morning to you, I wrote a post yesterday and it didn’t post, so you’re getting a double hit of the good stuff today. 💉
It’s Mikel press conference time, I’m still getting over the novelty of not spending 45 minutes trying to decipher the buried messaging of an Unai prezzer. I also like the fact that for the first time in 10 years, tuning into the pregame chat is actually interesting.
Let’s jump face-first into what hasn’t changed in forever… an Arsenal manager on transfers.
‘I’m happy we have the squad that I believe we can compete for what we want. I’m fine. I want to keep the players and get the maximum from the players that I want, but if this scenario changes and we need somebody, I’m expecting that we will go into the market and try to solve the issue.’
On whether he has a wishlist just in case.
‘I have, yes. You need to have one always, just in case!’
So the reality of our situation hasn’t changed, we blew our load last summer, and unless a very cheap deal or loan pops, we’ll be tasting the consequences of that until we can shift some of the deadwood in the summer… but at least Mikel has a list of players he likes, hopefully Ever Banega and Big Steve Nzonzi don’t feature. That’d be like finally landing a date with Sienna Miller and finding out she farts when she drinks, which to be honest is how I felt when he started Xhaka… I have grown to enjoy that fragrance though.
The most interesting theme that has run through the last week is that Arteta is very publicly calling Auba his most important player. I can’t deny that it’s true, but it seems to be a very purposeful narrative that he’s pushing.
‘Auba has been around, he was very sad after the game. He was disappointed that he left the team with 10 men. It’s an action that is completely accidental in my opinion. He’s been superb under me, he’s trained really well, he’s working so hard. He’s scoring goals and has probably been the most important player on the team. So to lose him, obviously, is really bad news for us.’
‘I don’t know. I haven’t experienced it. I hope not, I hope we can play better and even win the games and he will be pushing for that as well. Players have to step up. You know, when one of your big players is not there, they have to take responsibility. I’m sure when they’re not playing, they want a chance and they talk. It’s time to talk on the pitch, not outside. You come on there, you make the impact that he made and you sure me that you are as good as him or even better. You have the chance.’
Keeping your best sharpshooter motivated is obviously important, is the extra effort because he wants him to sign a new deal, or is it to keep him motivated despite playing him out of position? Or is Arteta just a really fucking massive fanboy of the man. He has a gold car, that is way cool imo.
My abiding memory of Sheffield United is from the Highbury days when we cheated and scored a goal and Steve Bruce threatened to take his players off the pitch like a giant pink snowflake, an incident that culminated in Arsenal offering a replay for the unfair result. I also remember the FA Cup semi-final when David Seaman made THAT save from Paul Peschisolido.
Things are different now. Chris Wilder, one of the sexy breed of new managers doing big things at small clubs, has made his team quite the spectacle this season. Mikel likes him.
‘The work he’s done is phenomenal and he’s done some special things as well with some movements and characteristics of how he moves his team around, and the demands that he puts on his players. What I like about a manager is when I see a team and they are a real team that fights for every single ball with their attitude and behaviour, as well as their intentions for what they want to do every time. It’s very clear what he’s trying to do, so I have big admiration for him.’
The reality of our season is that this game is very important to our progress. Sheffield United are running away from us, we lose here, it’s a 7 point gap. Staggering considering their outlay compared to ours.
Things are still not looking positive on the injury and suspension front. Kola, Tierney and Bellerin likely won’t feature. LT ‘might’ be back in contention, but he has a hip problem. Our best striker sits out the first of three games. The only thing going for us tomorrow is that this has been the first full week the squad has had with the new training staff. We’ll be a little bit fitter, the plan should be a little more clear, and hopefully we come out all guns blazing for an expectant home crowd. Miracles don’t happen overnight, but a nice run of results against sides we should be beating would build belief in the squad and make us fighting fit for the big games in the cup and against the top 6 sides when they land.
One interesting thing to watch out for is the captaincy. Who does that go to in the new era? The way the team has been playing, I’d expect someone like David Luiz. I feel like he’s bought into the vision and his performances have been immense.
Finally, Head of Medical Services, Gary O’Driscoll, has left the building to take up a new role at Liverpool. I had the pleasure of being toured around the Arsenal facilities by him a few years ago, it basically qualified me to have PHD after my work signature, and it’s part of the reason I’m so revered in the Sports Science community. The article is here, think that was back in the day when Wenger was blaming injuries on hair pills and bad luck. What a time to be alive.
What I think is important about this move is, whilst sad, it shows you how good our backroom team is. The amateur injury specialist scene on Twitter is quite something, generally always wrong about their assessments of what goes on at the club, always wrong when they point the finger out the medical team. This is a vindication of that reality. Anyway, if you fancy the job, you can apply here.
Right, find me in the comments where I’ll be giving a seminar on the latest WADA regulations, have a great Friday night x
Cg
I’m not sure that Kia is kurzawa’s agent
I can’t find it anyway , all I can see is the name Léandre Chouya.
If Emery recommended kurzawa that’s even more proof we should stay away.
“Keep religion out of this blog ya nut job not all of us believe in spaghetti monsters in the sky.”
Maybe read the initial post before jumping in blindly you simpleton, saying someone approaches things religiously is a manner of speaking. I couldn’t care less what you or anyone else on here believes in.
Deulofeu is a good player who can carry the ball with pace.
“Rh is a Christian So what? That’s his right”
This isn’t even the point
I just said something about Pierre having beliefs in football akin to religion, players and coaches i don’t like Devil, the ones i like God.
The demented Lego Hair then jumps in with talks of religion and before you know it the resident atheists are out in force to seek attention. That’s the think with atheists, they want everyone to know they are one like anyone gives a shit!!
Kurzawa is a funny one. Do we really need a new left back who may not be as good as the two we already use in that position? Surely we could find a cheap, young kid with potential for what will be 3rd choice LB? Why are we not concentrating on our chronic need for a 1st choice CB or even a creative midfielder? Surely we must plug this gap before we venture any further into the transfer market. Special K only seems to be interested in the bright lights and flesh pits of London and of course the security… Read more »
Raul and the gang should pop down the local Lidl and see if there are any Buy One Get One Free offers
2-1 to us today.
Watford pen.
Spurs look shite.
Deeeeeeney you muppet
Useless pathetic penalty from Deeney
Deeney shit.
Didn’t have the cajones!!!
RH
No one wants to hear about your faith in myths and legends.
This is a football blog so pipe down. I don’t want to hear about evil ideologues of pedophilic religions just as I dont want any other extreme opinions such as communism or terrorism.
This is a football blog.
Tell me now who doesn’t have the cojones you bag of shite! LOL
Leno, Maitland-Niles, Mustafi, Luiz, Saka, Torreira, Xhaka, Pepe, Ozil, Martinelli, Lacazette.
Subs: Martinez, Bellerin, Ceballos, Holding, Willock, Guendouzi, Nketiah.
Arsenal XI confirmed: Leno; Maitland-Niles, Mustafi, Luiz, Saka; Torreira, Xhaka; Pepe, Ozil, Martinelli; Aubameyang
It’s the best team we have.
Fk me no surprises ala Emery. God bless!
Good to see Ceballos and Holding making it in the subs. Expect those two to get a lot of minutes once they get up to speed.
Obviously Laca should replaces Auba
Crikey.
Mustafi.
Well after his everyone feel sorry for me piece this week he needs to put in a good display.
Holding has looked seriously poor and it’s worrying that Mustafi is preferred given that you could reasonably expect Holding to be knocking on the door now.
Terrible penalty from Deeney.
The Watford defender Adam Masina has impressed me this season…
Pre game
Sokratis misses the game through illness. Kolasinac thigh strain. Nelson out with a hamstring.
Pre game
Arsenal: Leno, Maitland-Niles, Mustafi, Luiz, Saka, Xhaka, Torreira, Ozil, Martinelli, Pepe, Lacazette
Subs: Martinez, Holding, Bellerin, Guendouzi, Willock, Ceballos, Nkeitah
Sokratis must be rested, he isn’t suspended or listed as injured on arsenal website.
And with our defensive problems can’t believe he is being sold.
I expect to see Nketiah get 20 minutes to kill the game off with a couple of goals
Joy Mike dean is the ref.
I hope to see Eddie getting some minutes. He has a much better header than Laca.
Laca captain ?
I would have thought luiz would have stepped in today ? Laca’s moping isn’t very encouraging
well Mustafi is supposedly some ball playing CB compared to Sokratis but his partnership with Luiz is quite shaky from what I’ve seen so far
Got the Chelsea game on Tuesday too so a few we don’t see today will likely feature in that one.
Maybe Arteta is helping Mustafi to tune out all the fan noises. It will be Mustafi’s last chance to show Arteta that he could be revitalized.
We need to win at all cost today.
Still gutted on the CP result.
“You were the poster that told everyone Wenger still had a league title in him if properly backed“
Started your day with a lie, how Receding of you.
“just certain posters pushing back of vengeful hateful criticism from the like of you and Pierre who yearn for the days of Wenger. This new found reverence for Arteta from you and Pierre is due to the fact you can still somehow credit Wenger if he does well. You ain’t fooling anyone.“
The lies continue. What the fuck are you on about?
Looking forward to seeing Pépé scoring.
Eddie Nketiah will open his account as well.
Pépé and Martinelli may get clattered a few times when they carry the ball thru the midfield
Luiz & mustafi !!?
Hope it’s not a deja vu of the last Chelsea game !
Is arteta getting too predictable with his 4-2-3-1? And will ozil perform today are just two main questions doing my head in.
This is a real test of Arteta’s sauce
1/0 to the arsenal
Sheffield a very physical team, pressed us hard last time and relied heavily on set pieces.
Can see the usual suspects struggle if they play like that away too.
Nice to see Martinelli start though.
I remember that Saka and Martinelli have good chemistry. Pepe needs to be more dynamic inside the box to receive crosses from Saka. Laca will probably be crowded out.
We must win today – no excuses. Our tean selection is as good as it gets I am afraid, we must attack from the whistle and not let then settle and control the pace of the game. It has to be movement on and off the ball and no playing out from the back!
No offence to Sheff Utd but I only know one of their players and he is on he bench! Edna Stevens will fly up the left wing though!
Edu
“Laca’s moping isn’t very encouraging”
Really?
Luiz still has to prove himself.
The Emirates Stadium looks quite empty still.
Aussie Gooner
Just so you know, Sheffield United are a good team.
ValentinJanuary 18, 2020 12:23:40
Batistuta,It depends on what kind of style of player want. Meunier is a much better defender,
So if Arteta wants a fullback who is more stack minded, Kurzawa is the better
Oh lawd another defender that cant defend at arsenal,
You hear it here 1st!
Nelson
Wait till 3:20pm, then it’ll fill up.
Ten minutes later it’ll start to empty again as many of these so called fans, go for their refreshment break.
Get ready for a real stinker from Mike dean today.
This game should be a good barometer to judge our true level.
Why Pepe did that? He has lots of time.
Good outing so far, laca should cool off a little, his game will naturally be better
Mustafi is just a useless player
heh Xhaka basically a CB too forming 3 stooges at back damn what a crazy defense setup it might just work
Sob Mustafi
Mustafi…
Mustafi is still bad.
Mustafi, Xhaka and Ozil, add Mike Dean and there you have the makings of an awful game.
Saka fell down by himself.
Zonal marking ain’t good for us nah
Shhhhhhh you’re all making Mustafi nervous you cunts!
Under pressure already.
I don’t like Mike Dean….
Nothing’s Mustafis fault it’s the fans!!!
You can’t make it up
I said it before I really admire the way Sheffield have played this season. Watch out how easily the bodies behind the ball defending transition in to attackers pressing our defenders.
Being outplayed at home by Sheffield. Sauce.
Leno’s going to have a very busy afternoon…….
Very poor start.
Need to pull the thumb out.
When you see a beautiful house, well planned with good architectural touches and some guy comes to you and say, ‘hey fella, nobody planned this building, it just happened!’ How do you react? Apart from the very intricate ‘wiring’ you have inside of you(ask your friends who are medical doctors), you have eyes in the proper places, legs in the proper places, hands, nose, mouth and others in the proper places. Then somehow you eat, digest, excrete on daily basis, things happen in you on daily basis that are miracles. Then maybe you have even read some medical books on… Read more »
No midfield Arteta hasn’t got to grips with it yet
Awwww Martinelli
We will probably win this by 3-0 but it’s not looking good at the moment.
Any decent streams?
Mustafi and Saka look scared and timid.
Sheffield have belief right now.
Need to get a foothold.
We’re playing like the away team
Pepe’s first touch should have been towards the box and not away. Nice ball though
Gentlebris,
Cool story bruh. So switch off the TV, put down the smartphone and go bury your crooked nose in the Bible.
Chop chop
This ref will kill us today
At least, they are not parking the bus. It makes for a good game.
Pepe should have come across the defender there
Sheffield taking chances towards Mustafi side but opp side Saka they know it won’t cut
We just don’t shoot enough still trying to pass it
We will probably win this by 3-0
—————–
LOL
Mike Dean has to be the star of the show.
Xhaka right in the bollocks!!
Would anyone be kind enough to post a link? Having trouble finding one.
I am waiting for their captain, #16, to fault Laca and receives a 2nd yellow!
LT
https://my.soccerstreams100.tv/
Find some there.
Martinelli, hmmmmmm
Get the Livenet app
Go to sports
Bein sports 1
Auba could have scored
Pepe been excellent so far.
Cheers Azed!
Liked what Pepe is doing today
Pepe dances too much.
Leno h.mmmmm
Pepe is drawing three players to him now, he just needs the right movements round him to give him options.
What is happening to go gether Martineli ?
Pepe dances too much.
You criticise too much lol he’s having a decent game.
Pepe is going to be an arsenal legend
Quality skills that boy
Un
According to some experts, Pepe doesn’t have the calves so you are wrong.
http://zoneland90.blogspot.com/p/th1.html?m=1
Good link guys
http://zoneland90.blogspot.com/p/th1.html?m=1